Men's Squash Bolsters Roster with Four Newcomers for 2011-12 Season

Jun 28, 2011

The Harvard men's squash team will welcome four additions to the team for the upcoming 2011-12 campaign, Mike Way, the Gregory Lee '87 and Russell Ball '88 Endowed Coach for Squash at Harvard University, announced.

The Crimson is coming off a 9-6 overall record in 2010-11, earning a fifth-place finish at the College Squash Association Team National championships. Harvard also posted a 3-3 record in the Ivy League, finishing fourth in the conference.

Ali Farag (sophomore)/Cairo, Egypt/Modern Education Schools Ranked No. 1 junior player in the world … Ranked No. 79 in world in the Professional Squash Association's ranking among senior players … Won 2010 Junior World Championship … Spent his freshman season at American University in Cairo … Captained Egypt Junior squash team to world title in Quito, Ecuador in 2010 … Served as captain of Heliopolis squash team … Won British Junior Open … Other interests include soccer, tennis and music.

Nick Hopcroft/Weybridge, England/Wellington College
Member of squash, rackets and cricket teams at Wellington College … Captained squash and rackets squads … England International Squash representative at U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels … Member of English National Team … Earned No. 3 European U-19 ranking … Was ranked No. 1 among European and British players at U-17 level … Was the youngest person to win the U-19 British Rackets Championship at 16 years old … Uncle, Ron, is the 100-mile and 50-mile world record holder for long distance running.

Julian Kirby/Dover, Mass./Belmont Hill School
Member of squash and track teams at the Belmont Hill School … Captained squash team as a senior … U.S. Junior National Team member …. Owns No. 2 U-19 ranking … Boston Globe All-Scholastic in 2010 and 2011 … Two-time Independent School League MVP … Earned All-ISL honors in four straight seasons … Helped Belmont Hill School finish fourth at nationals in three straight seasons … As an individual, finished second in Scottish Junior Open … Played for the United States against Canada in Battle of the Border … Cum Laude Society … U.S. Squash Scholar-Athlete … National Latin Exam Prize … Member of school's elite singing group … Other interests include golf and watersports.

Tyler Olson/Victoria, B.C./St. Michael's University School
Member of squash, cricket and track & field squads at St. Michael's University School … Two-time squash captain … Earned Athletic Director's Trophy for Athlete of the Year in 2011 … Ranked No. 4 in Canada U-19 … Won British Columbia Junior Closed Squash Championships at U-19 level in 2010 and 2011 … Finished second at Canadian Junior Nationals in 2008 and 2010 … Finished second with Team BC at 2011 Canada Winter Games … Other interests include sports, movies and traveling.